On this date 895 years ago, Valdemar den Store (Valdemar the Great) was born Valdemar I Knudsen. He reigned as King of Denmark from 1154 until his death in 1182. His reign saw the rise of Denmark, which reached its medieval zenith under his son King Valdemar II. Valdemar's father was Canute Lavard, the chivalrous and popular eldest son of King Eric I of Denmark. His mother, Ingeborg of Kiev, named him for her grandfather, Grand Prince Vladimir Monomakh of Kiev. Days before his birth, Valdemar's father was murdered by Magnus Nielsen, whose son Canute V later challenged Valdemar for the throne. Valdemar was raised at Ringsted in the court of Asser Rig of Fjenneslev, the sworn eternal bloodbrother of Valdemar's father. Valdemar and Asser's son Absalon likewise became bloodbrothers. In 1146, King Eric III of Denmark abdicated, and Valdemar fought a ten-year civil war with Canute V and Sweyn III Grathe before agreeing to divide the country and reign as co-regents. Valdemar became the sole king in 1157, after Canute and Sweyn were killed in other battles. Absalon became King Valdemar's chief advisor, and they rebuilt war-torn Denmark. Valdemar married Sophia of Minsk, and they had nine children, including Canute VI, named for Sophia's half brother. Yep, that half brother was Canute V. So Denmark's history shows us that peace is always possible. Credit: https://w.wiki/HWBb I enjoyed today's ride a lot, but it was hard. Details and how I got the nice sunset photo: https://sbw.org/smpier/